Benefit softball tournament not just about playing on diamond, but helping other people

Sunday

May 5, 2013 at 10:24 PMMay 5, 2013 at 10:28 PM

Case Waldron Memorial Softball Bash

Brandon Watson

On Saturday, the Second Annual Case Waldron Memorial Softball Bash happened at Spence Field in Sturgis.

Josh Roberts, coordinator of the event, said the memorial softball tournament isn't just about softball, but helping those in need.

"We want people to know this is a family atmosphere and in the end, it's all about that," he said. "It's not just softball, it's knowing we can help people in need and get together for a great cause."

Better than 15 teams competed in the tournament, each donating money to help. There was a silent auction, bouncy houses for kids.

Every penny raised will go to help Erin Kulpinski and her son, Taylor, who is battling cancer, in addition to another family, Roberts said.

"We raised more money than expected this year," he said. "We will be able to help out Erin and another family in the area."

Roberts and a few of his friends got together and bought Taylor his own mini tractor, as well.

And while most of the softball teams wanted to win as many games as possible, it wasn't all about getting base hits and scoring the most runs.

Roberts said coming together to help out the community of Sturgis and raise some awareness for people in need was the main focus.

"We started this memorial tournament because sometime I knew lost a child," Roberts said last year of why the event was started. "The purpose is to give back to the community and those families in need. This was a great way for us, as a community, to let people know that we are here to help each other."

Much like last year, Mike Liston and Anthony Moreno, both of the Doyle Community Center, donated the field for the tournament to use the entire day.

Also donating their time as umpires for the event were Kevin Esh and Greg Watkins.

"We need to give a huge thanks to the umpires," Roberts said. "They did every game on each field and took just one break. They both umpired 14 games."

Roberts said the teams came together to give the umpires some money out of pocket for helping out at the event.

Also helping out as sponsors for this year's event was Jeff Mullins, who donated 32 pounds of pulled pork.

"He was up at 2 a.m. starting his smoker and made us fresh pulled pork and brought it out when finished around 10 a.m.," Roberts said of Mullins.

DJ for the event was Top Flight Entertainment, who were on scene from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the middle of the day, the Harley Davidson Hog Chapter of Sturgis rode by to show Taylor what a group of nearly 50 bikes looked like, Roberts said.

Andy Baumeister and Lenea Roberts put the idea together for the motorcycles, showing their support, Roberts said.

Last year Roberts said he had plans for this to be an annual event. Now after two successful ones they have envisions of keeping it going.

"We are making this a legitimate benefit that we will be doing yearly," he said. "Hopefully we can help up to two families each year."